(Let's go)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh (you take it, you take it)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh (louder, louder)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning, I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
Now the old king is dead, long live the king
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, pillars of sand
I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
Missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you'd gone, there was never, never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
That shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
I'm just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh, who would ever want to be king?
Now, I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword, shield
Missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Lights up)
(Come on, come on, come on)
(I can't hear)
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Roman Calvary choirs are singing (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Be my mirror, my sword, shield (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
Missionaries in a foreign field (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
For some reason I can't explain (oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh)
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh (everybody put your hands in the air)
(Everybody put your hands in the air, please everybody, put your hands in the air)
About This Song
"Viva La Vida" is a haunting meditation on the fleeting nature of power and the inevitable fall from grace, told through the perspective of a deposed ruler reflecting on his lost empire. The song explores themes of hubris, mortality, and the cyclical nature of history, with lyrics that draw from biblical imagery and historical references to create a universal narrative about rise and decline. Musically, the track marked a dramatic departure for Coldplay, featuring orchestral arrangements with prominent strings, baroque-influenced melodies, and a driving rhythm that builds to an anthemic climax without relying on traditional guitar-heavy rock structures. The production, helmed by Brian Eno, creates a cinematic scope that mirrors the grandiosity of the lyrical themes, while Chris Martin's vocals convey both melancholy and defiance. The "pillars of salt and pillars of sand" metaphor serves as the song's emotional core, suggesting that even the mightiest achievements are built on unstable foundations doomed to crumble. The track resonated deeply with listeners during the 2008 financial crisis, as its themes of fallen kingdoms and lost security felt particularly relevant to a world experiencing economic collapse. Beyond its historical allegory, the song functions as a personal reflection on fame, success, and the isolation that can accompany great achievement. Its combination of vulnerability and epic scope, paired with an irresistibly catchy melody, helped it become one of the most successful alternative rock songs of the 2000s.
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